Kanishka Gupta is one of South Asia’s most influential literary agents and a leading voice in contemporary publishing. As the founder of Writer’s Side, he has transformed the literary landscape by building the region’s largest literary agency, representing over a thousand authors, translators, journalists, artists, and public intellectuals across genres. For more than a decade, he has championed path-breaking books, debut writers, and globally acclaimed voices, helping shape the journeys of works that have gone on to receive prestigious honours, including the International Booker Prize and the Booker Prize shortlist. A writer and publishing commentator himself, Gupta is widely respected for his sharp insights into the evolving world of books, rights, and readership. His work has expanded opportunities for South Asian authors on the global stage while strengthening the publishing ecosystem at home. At #BBLF-2026, he brings a rare insider’s perspective on discovering talent, building literary careers, and the future of publishing in India and beyond.